EFFICE FEAHERS:

PRESIDENT: Keith Hutchinson - Telephone: £5 2997

1? Grandview Grove, Rosanne, 3EE6.

TREASURER: Albert ward — Telephone: £59 £392

82 Grandview Grove, Rosanne, 3084.

SECRETARY: Derek Griffiths - Telephone: 336 31575 Susan Court, East Keilnr.

EDDH SALES: Barry white - Telephone: 337 9793

2& Ruby Street, East Essendon, 3540.

EEfiEERSHIP SECRETARY: Jean Trudgeon - Telephone: 659 4559P.C. Eux fiS, Heidelberg Heat, 3054.

ACTING EDITCR: Keith Hutchinson - Telephone: 45 299?

17 Grandview Grove, Rosanna, 308$.

SPDRE BANK MANEGER: Joel Nacher - Telephone: 560 £86731 Anora Crescent, Mulgraue, 3170

fiéIA-h-‘w-J'.2 '1 m. IH-‘r—'T.'2' -~:-1-'—k- ‘ ' ' :‘I .' I 3732? '2: I

PRESIDENTS REPORT:

Our June Fern Forum again proved to be an excellent way togain knowledge from our experts. John Hodges has offered to continuethis service to members unable to attend meetings (see details page 5).

During general business we opened the meeting for discussionon our 1988 - 89 commitee positions. It was a little disappointingthat we received very few suggestions from the general membership.Although some progress was made it is important that we have theposition of president and secretary nominated before our A.G.M. inAugust. ‘

THE STRINGY BARK FESTIVAL will-be held this year on the weekend ofOctober 15th & 16th at The Ferntree Gully Community Centre. BillTaylor, Joel Macher, John Oliver, Nancy & Eric Penny would appreciatesome assistance in setting up and caring for a display, so pleasehelp even if only for an hour or two.

DOOR PRIZE WINNER NORMA HODGES

SPECIAL EFFORT WINNERS

7- Beth Ward Roy Harrison2- June Pritchard . Junnie Bland3. Renee Shields . Barry White4. John Hodges . Nancy Patterson.

Phillip Hicks, for many years a member of the BurnleySchool Of Horticulture and Agriculture advisory service will be ourSpeaker on July 11th. Phillip has written extensively on his subjectand will have the very latest methods of insect and fungus controlso be sure to keep this night free.

Kindest regards,

Keith Hutchinson.

--Thursday July 14 ~-

Welsh Presbyterian

Church Hall

320 Latrobe st

» Melbourne) FRUGHM‘ME - 7.30 - B pun. FERN SALES

- B p.m. .HEETING CEHNENEES

- 9.30 p.n. PATHOLOGY TABLE & SPECIAL EFFORT

- 9.45 p.m. SUPPER

- 1U p.m. CLOSE

Speaker — Philip Hicks Dip. Horticulture, ENTEMOLOGIST

Subject - Pest and Fungus control.

* * * * * * * * * * *

WMH**H**H**HH*W

) ,Meeting Report — General Meeting, 9th June, 1988.The Fern Society Fern Forum.The panel members were: Betty Duncan, Chris Gouday, Albert Jenkins, JoelMacher and Keith Hutchinson.

For this presentation, members were invited to seek information concerning

all aspects of fern study and cultivation.

This report deals only with questions put and the answers provided. It hasnot been possible to include a full list of the questions submitted.

0: Question asked. P: Panel response

0. What is the best way to prepare leaf mould for potting mixes?

P. Autumn leaves from deciduous trees passed through a shredden and storedin a moist but not wet or soggy condition make the best leaf mould. Theleaf mould should not be allowed to rot down - rotted leaf mould soon turnsto mud in a mix, a condition which will soon lead to problems for theplants.

G. How soon should fertilizer be applied to sporelings and what programshould be followed?

P. Sporelings do better if fertilizer is not introduced into their mixuntil they have been hardened off to at least cold glass house conditions —about three or four inch pot size (75mm - TOOmm). In nature sporelingshave no aCcess to or use for fertilizer.

O. Passion vine leaf hoppers are my biggest insect problem; half strengthCarbyl doesn't work on them. My ferns are kept in a bush house - could Iuse full strength solution?

P. Leaf hoppers are sucking insects which must be attacked by either a cents:spray or a systemic poison. If half strength Carbryl doesn't work use acombined spray made up of full strength Carbryl and full strength Rogor.When applying this composite mixture make sure that you hold the Spraynozzle some distance away from the fern foliage.

0. Some of my adiantums develop a new crap of fronds only to lose aftera few days — they blacken and die. I have a similar problem with aspleniumwhose young fronds grow to one or two inches when the eroziers brown offand die leaving only a crop of stalks. )

P. Blackening of fronds can be caused by over fertilizing, over watering,insufficient light etc. The failure of aSplenium frond eroziers is )probably due to slugs or snails eating out the inside of the youngeroziers leaving only the stalks as mentioned. A tiny snail like creaturewhich when crushed enuits a smell like garlic, could also be responsible.

Bay—gon Snail pellets should dispose of snails and slugs and sick ferns canoften be saved by simply transferring them into a pot of firmly packedSphagnum moss.

0. How do 1 go about growing staghorn ferns (Platycerium Superbum) fromspores?

P. The method applying to P. Superbum spore growing is the same as for anyother genus. However, it is important that spore is sown and not husks.Sori, including Spores should be scrapped from the fertile frond of theparent plant and husks separated by shaking the material through a veryfine gauze seive. The use of sterilized African Violet mix, as dispensed )by Bill Taylor, has proved successful as a growing medium for P. Superbumspores. , -

J0. What is a Maritime Fern?

P. Maritime ferns are those which grow from rock services close to thesea, so close in fact that at high tide these ferns are actually splashedwith salt spray. Asplenium Obtusatum — (shore Spleenwort) is a wellknown maritime fern. It is wrong to splash these ferns with salt waterwhen kept in an artificial environment.

0. What does the term - "Old World Tropics" mean?

P. All tropical lands except South America.

Q. What does pan—tropical mean?

F. Tropical areas around the world.

0. What does the word dimorphic mean?

P. It is a word used to describe a term which produces two forms of

fronds.

)

Q. Is there any advantage in burning the fronds of maidenhair ferns?

P. There is no advantage at all in burning the fronds of maidenhairs.This is an old wives technique which probably arose from observing thatsome maidenhairs have the ability to ”rise again" after bush fires.

Q. Do Panel Members know of anyone who is able to grow Lycopodiumspecies from spores?

P. Lycopodiums {Tassel Ferns) are not usually grown from spores. Amore popular means of propogation is by striking cuttings.

Q. What is the difference between indegenous and endemic ferns?

P. An indigenous fern is one which is totally native — not introducedinto this country from another country.

An endemic fern is one which occurs in one place on locality andshows no tendency to spread.

At the conclusion of this presentation, President Keith Hutchinsonsuitably thanked Members of the Panel for their fine contribution. Memberssupported Keith with their acclamation.

)

ONGOING FERN FORUM

Following the successful Fern Forum at our June meeting, Ithought of the number of our members who cannot or do not attend ourmonthly meetings, but are still just as much part of our Society.

Attending meetings regularly it is obvious that we have extremelyknowledgable members, professional and hobbyists who specialise invarious aspects of fern growing and are willing to share their delightsand downfalls to benefit others.

To members whose only contact with the Society is the newsletter,as a committee member, I would like to offer an information service,with any questions directed to me researched, or re-directed to ourexperts and replied to in next available space in our newsletter, forthe benefit of all.

John C. Hodges, 15 Erica Court, Blackburn North. 3130

**********************

PROTHALLI AND SPOHELING SWAP

Terry Tunney is organizing this service so ifyou have an abUndance of one variety of fern, eitherprothalli or sporeling bring them along to our meetingand make a swap.

HARCLD & RITA CLNEY

Herold has only been growing Ferns For 11 years, after moving From

Streatham (western District) some 12 years ago. He decided early on tospecialize in Cdi=ntums although gr wing many other species. He also

conecentreted on growing from spore using a heated propagating box.Guersees contacts were established to obtain exotic Adiantum spore.

Eoth Harold and Rita, in early years of the Fern Society, spent timepromoting the society at diFferent venues in the Eastern Suburbs 1.8.

Keloraca, Ferny Creek, Blinds and 5.G.A.F. functions at Yarra Valley.

Rita was 215: tea lady with Lynn Hill For 3% years. Displays of

Adiantoms care provided at Annual Ferns Shows.

Due to declining years and volume of work involved Harold has decides

to forego his unique collection cf Adientums, keeping only half dozen

or so Favourites with mostly inground Ferns requiring less attention.

Always a lover of the bush and bird life in particular. Harold and Rita

now spend many days visiting mostly National Parks where, along with

ferns that generally abound, a pleasant time is assured.

Harold and Rita have given us personally, great joy not only for having

given us their Friendship but for sharing all their oeautiful Adisntums

and Nephro—lepsis with us. Harold taught us how to grow and really

love Ferns.

Nance M. chan

Harold and Rita in theirHanging Basket House

Harold in his hot house

One of the magnificent Adiantums Harold has grown from spore.

FERN TRIP TU NORFOLK ISLAND.

FEHN SOCIETY MEMBERS.

Mary E Garnet Frost 5 Dorothy Forte.

We leFt Albury Airport on the 15th May at 8.15 a.m. on acool slightly cloudy day with a temperature oF 100, changedplanes at Sydney and as we neared NorFolk Island the day got

progressively warmer and when we landedoat 1.10 o.m. Victorian

time, the temperature had changed to 22 . NorFolk Island

From the air was a green oasis end the NorFolk Pines stood

out clearly, covered with moss hanging 12" long all over

them. We collected our Hire—car and Road Map at the Air—

port and drove to Bumbara Appartments, where we were staying.

We made plans to check every Reserve on the Island, Anson

Bey, Selwyn, Headstone, Rocky Point, Bumbora, Point Hunter,

Bell Bay, Point Bleckbourne, Cascade and Mt. Pitt, Mt. Bates

Reserves. Many oF the Reserves had no Ferns in them andwere picnic areas or Fishing spots.

In Anson Bay Reserve we did not Find any Ferns. SelwynBey Reserve, we Found DODDIA ASPEHA. Headstone Reserve

again we Found no Ferns, but at Rocky Point Reserve, we

Found CYATHEA BHUHNII, ASFLENIUM DIMUFIPHUM1 ASPLENIUMUBTUSATUM ver.DIFFDHME and at least two other varieties

oF Aeplenium which could have been hybrids, as did not know

what they were. AHACHNDIDES AHISTATA and CHRISTELLA DENTATA

were everywhere. DDODIA CAUDATA end DDODIA MEDIA, PTEHIS

SP. CUMANS and another Ptehie which we Found later to be

PTEHIS KINGIANA. Ne revisited Rocky Point to recheck thelovely Aepeniume and we all said, would have liked to have

a large pot plant oF each in our Fernery.

Bumbora Heeenve: we had a delightFul time checking the

rock pools For Fish, sea creatures, coral, crabs and we

also Found under the rocks on the steep coast ASPLENIUMSP. TEHHESTE. Ball Bay Reserve on the steep cliFF Face,we Found PTEHIS KINGIANA1 ASFLENIUM SPECIES, MICHGSDHUM

DIVERSIFGLIUM and ADIANTUM HISPIDULUM which was really

glorious with masses oF brilliant pink Fronds.

Cascade Reserve we visited 01d Whaling Station Jetty andthen wandered up a steep logging track and Found ADIANTUMDIAPHANUM, FYHHUSIA CUNFLUENS, MICHDSOHIUM DIVEHSIFOLIUM

and AHTHHUPTEHIS TENELLA. Every other Fern we Found wasin the Mt. Pitt, Mt. Bates Reserve. CYATHEA BHDHNII,

CYATHEA AUSTRALIS SP. NDHFDKIENSIS and we had a Fern lessonchecking that we had the twa indentiFied as some plants

were very conFusing and we had a problem gathering spore

but Found some at our last look almost. PSILDTUM NUDUM

specimens were really superb some hanging almost 2‘ longand many had yellow spore capsules. We discovered twoTMESIPTEHIS species, one had very Flat Fronds 9" long and

the other had spiral Fronds. Later talking to the Forest

UFFioer, they agreed there were two distinct species.

The First MAHATTA SALICINA we Found was only 2' high but

later we Found some superb specimens, the best we Found

as 15' high with a spread DF 20' wide. In a very deeppalm gully, we Found three oiFFerent FILMY FEHNS, one which

was so large, we thought could have been a heptopteries sp.

one very tiny only 1” long and the other one with Fronds

up to 5" long.

We also Found in the same gully HISTDPTEHIS INCISA,

LASTHEUFTEHIS DECOMPOSITA, LASTHEDPTEHIS CALANTHA,DIPLAZUIM ASSIMLE, DIPLAZUIM AUSTHALE, LUNATHYHIUMJAPONICUM.

Searching the banks above the gullies, we Found two superb

specimens oF ASPLENIUM AUSTRALASICUM, two species oF PTEHISwhich we could not identiFy and the Forest DFFioer suggested

we could have Found FTEHIS ZAHLBHUCKNEHIANA.

We Found gullies oF BLECHNUM NUHFDLKIANUM really superb

specimens and we had to search to Find Fertile Fronds.

ASPLENIUM PDLYPDDUN as everywhere in the Reserve and the

best specimen we Found was 6' wide and 6' long, hanging

around a treeFerh. NEFHHDLEPIS CUHDIFULIA was prevelant

on the slopes and the Forest DFFioer told us it did not

have ouloils on the roots. We also Found large clumps

oF ADIANTUM HISPIDULUM with no pink Fronds, in Fact, all

the new Fronds were green, so we thought there could have

been two diFFerent varieties.

The only other Fern we Found, was a VITTAHIA species.

We had a really lovely trip5 the weather being realy balmyand summery, the only rain was 2" Thursday night 19th May.

Friday morning had a light shower but it was still verymild, so the raincoats we packed remained in our oases.I took photographs oF every Fern we Found but in some instances

I am not sure whether they will come out as the light was

very conFusing as it was very dark under the palms. The

NorFolk Palm - Hhopalostylis baueri was beautiFully in

bloom and also some had big bunches oF red seed. In the

brush we also Found a scrambling vine called Capparis nobilisbut commonly called Devil's Bots and I can tell you it wasa Devil, as it has reourved spines on the new growth and

it really tears into the skin. I had a Few blood spots

on my arms and legs. The Guava trees were loaded with

ripe red Fruit and we soon learnt that it would quench our

thirst and Fill a little hunger hollow — oF course the Faith—Ful thermos went to NorFolk with us.

Petrol was 71¢ per litre and we used 18 litres and weexplored ever road on the Island, some many times. We

Found Food the same price as our own supermarkets, but the

quality oF Fruit and vegetables was very poor, compared

to what we are used to. Fineaoples were $2.40 Kg. Apples

very poor $8.25 Kg. Bananas $2.05 Kg.

To sum up we thought the most orevelent Ferns were AHACHNDIDES

AHISTATA and DHTHHDPTEHIS TENELLA and the most scarce was

ASFLENIUM AUSTRALASIUH.

We arrived home 8 p.m. on the 20th May, 1388.

Marx Frost.

1U

SPQRE LI T

Ordering: The following spore is free to those who make donationsspore. Alternatively, members — 20 cents each, non—members — 50cents. Available at meetings or by mail (please add $1.00 forp.and p.). There is no charge to overseas members, but to defraypostage, 3 International Reply Coupons would be appreciated.

Adiantum caudatum 3/87 Cystopteris dickieana 7/86Adiantum peruvianum 5/87 Dicksonia antarctica 3/87Adiantum raddianum cultivars Dicksonia fibrosa 3/86

"crested majuS" 3/87 Dicksonia lanata —/86“delicatulum” 3/86 Dicksonia squarrosa 3/86"gracillium" 3/37 Diplazium auatrale 3/87"grandiceps" 3/37 Doryopteris pedata 2/87"grossum" 3/87 Drynaria rigidula 4/86"lady supreme" 3/86 Dryopteris affinis"mathewsii" 3/87 var "polydactyla" —/87"pacific maid" 3/85 D. carthusiana,"crested" 3/86"victoria's elegaHCE" 3/87 D. dilatata,"lepidota" 2/87"weiganii" 3/87 D. felix—mas,"christata" 3/86

Aglaomorpha heraclea 6/87 D. felix—mas,"grandiceps" 3/86Anemia phyllitidis -/86 Dryopteris inequalis 4/87Asplenium adiantum—nigrum —/86 Dryopteris 5p. (Korea) 3/85Asplenium australasicum 8/86 Hypolepis rugulosa 3/87Asplenium bulbiferum 1/87 Hypolepis punctata 3/86Asplenium ODOPteriS -/86 Lastreopsis calantha 3/86Asplenium trichomanes 1/86 Lunathryium japonicum 4/87A. trichomanes,"incisum" —/87 Microlepia speluncae 3/86Asplenium viride -/37 Microlepia strigosa 2/37Asplenium vittaeformis 3/87 Onoclea sensibilis —Asplenium Sp. Paesia scaberula 7/86

(nidus? West Irian) —/37 Pellaea rotundifolia 2/87Athyrium felix—femina Pellaea Viridis —/86

var. "cristata" -/86 Phyllitis scolopendrium —/87Athyrium schimperi 3/87 Pityrogramma chrysophylla 3/86Belvisia mucronata 3/86 Platycerum bifurcatum 3/87Belvisia platyrynches 6/87 Platycerum hillii 4/86Blechnum capense -/86 P. willinkii,"Payton" —Blechnum discolor —/86 Platycerum sp. (Timor) —/87Blechnum fluviatile 3/37 Polypodium formosanum 9/86Blechnum giganteum 3/86 Polypodium vulgare 4/86Blechnum minus 3/86 Polystichum echinatum 2/87Blechnum spicant 3/86 Polystichum formosum 3/87Blechnum tabulare 4/37 P. retroso—paleacum 3/86Cibotium glaucum 3/85 Polystichum setiferumCibotium schiedei 11/86 var. "falcatum Dyce" 3/86Culcita dubia 4/86 Pteris biaurita 3/86Cyathea brownii 2/86 Pteris cretica,"parkerii" 3/87Cyathea cooperi 3/87 P.quadriaurita,"argyraea" 3/87C. cooperi(black scales} 2/86 Pteris tremula 3/87C. cooperi(glaucous form) —/86 pteris tricolor 3/87Cyathea dealbata 3/87 Pteris vittata 3/87Cyathea medullaris 3/87 var. ”Cape form" 3/87Cyathea sp. (New Guinea) 2/86 Thelypteris patensCyathea sp. (Vanuatu) 6/86 var. “lepida” 3/87Cyrtomium falcatum 3/87 Woodwardia fimbriata —/86C. falcatum x caryotideum —/86 Unknown 3p. (China) —/87

of

Maxicrop“Goodness fmm the sea”

Cornelius over 613 elements and minerals

Sal's and easy to use.

Made [tam flesh growing seaweed.

Ideally suited {m krms

Maxicmp is mfla-h-Ie tramnurseries and other placeswhere garden gradients are sold.

flNN‘URL SUESEHIF’TIDN

Single: $13.00

Family: 315.00

Single: 5 $000

(Pensioner)

flarried : $11.80(Pensioners)

Student: 5 9.00

(Full Time)

UUERSEAS MEMBERSHIP

(Mawsletter posted)airmail. ”5.0.3

gust.The Membership Sec re ta ry

pa 88X 45,

HEIDfiLBERG MEET

VICTORIA 3034

j Maxicrop4/375 Bayswate‘r Rd. Bayswamr. Vic. 3153.

PO. BOX 302. Bayswaler. Vic. 3153. Tel. Me-I-b. $3) 720 2200

The Financial Year of the Society shall commence on the first day of Julyin each year when all the subscriptions shall become due. 8 Member joiningthe Society after the September meeting shall pay a pro—rata subscriptioncalculated at 10% of the annual subscription For each remaining month or partmonth of the Financial Year.

Me-mbers’ services include:Monthly newsletter posted as part of member's subscription.A Spare Bank for members with spore posted at nominal cost.An extensive reference library.Stocks of books held for sale and distribution to members.Regular field excursions.Annual Fem Show.Guest Speakers available for garden clubs.Table for species identification and advice on plants in poorcondflflon.

ii

i;

*

*

1k

1‘:

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A large selection of ferns, grown bymembers. is also available for sale at each meeting.

BUYERS' GUIDE TO FERN MURSERIES.

QUEENSLAND.

MDRAMS HIGHWAY NUESERI

Box 467, Woambye, 45591 kn north of Big PineappleTurn right into Kell Road, WuoobyeWholesale 8: RetailPhone: {071) 42 1513

NEW SOUTH WAEES.

JIM & BEHYL GEEKIE FERN NURSERY

Wholesale - Retail6 Nelson StreetThornleigh 2120Phone: (02)£4 268$By Appointment

MARLEY 'S HRNS .

5 Seaview StreetMt. Kuring—gai 2080Phone: (02) 457 9168

D I A R Y D A T E S.

VENUE - WELSH PRESSY’TERIAN EHUREH HALL — 320 LATREEE ST. N'ELECUHNE

J'UILY DCTUBEF!HUGUST N’BU‘EP‘IEERSEPTEMBER DECEMBER

NOTE: In the event of a power strike on the eveningof any meeting, we regret that the meeting mustbe cancelled.

BUYERS' GUIDE TO FERN NURSERIES.

XEEEQEIA- VICTORIA.

”FERN GLEN" MT. EVELYN FERN CENTRE.

Garfield North, Victoria 3% Yggilfigad.

Ferns - Wholesale & Retail (Mail orders welcomelVisitors welcomePhone: (056) 29 2375 Phone: 736 1729

BEASLEY'S NURSERY. ALLANS FLAT PLANT FARM.

195 Warrandyte Road, Tomkins Lane.Doncaster East Allans Flat.Phone: (03) 844 3335 (25km south of Wodonga on the

Yackandandah Road)COOL WATERS FERN NURSERY. Specialising in ferns and

indoor plants.(Wh°19531¢ PTOPaSatOTS) Open daily (except Wednesday)39“" Fore“ 3237 and all public holidays.Phone: (052) 37 3283Specializing in cool climate Phone (060) 27 1375native ferns. -

RIDGE ROAD 'FERNERY . .)

WEEAPROINAH. 3237

Specialising in Otway Native FernsWholesale and RetailPhone: (052) 359 383

R, & M. FLETCHERS FERN NURSERY. NORMA‘S FERNERY - CARBOUR-62 walker Roa v _ - 52km south east of Wangaratta

Phone; (059) g; igeélle 3139 off the Milawa Rd.

(look for sign on Warburton Hwy. SPEClallslng in rare ferns.

300w east of Seville Shopping Centre) REtall' olgsed Fridays only(closed Tuesdays except Public Holidaya) 057 295 51

main road Kinglake WestSpecialising in au 1 in retail opposite Kinglake west Primary Sch.

nurseries with a wfgeyra§%e of hardy 5999131151n8 in Stag's, Elk's &ferns — no tubes. Phone: 052) 823084 Birdenest ferns, also native

orchids Phone Gloria or Kevinon 057 865 431

(Wholesale Propagators)